LONDON - Local councils in England will have greater powers to demand that new buildings use a certain amount of green energy, according to new planning policies set out by the government.
Regional and local planning authorities were urged to promote renewable energy in a policy statement designed to speed up the growth of projects like wind farms, which the government is relying on to help meet targets on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
"The increased development of renewable energy resources is vital to ensure the delivery of the government's commitments to reduce CO2 emissions and combat climate change as set out in the Energy White Paper," Minister for Planning Keith Hill said on Monday .
"The publication of (planning policy statement) PPS22 is a positive and significant step towards allowing the delivery of more renewable energy developments and so meeting those commitments," he said in statement.
The government wants renewable energy to produce 10 percent of the country's electricity by 2010.
Difficulties gaining planning permission, especially for onshore wind farms, has put that target under threat, the wind power industry says.
Many wind projects face local oppositions from residents, who say turbines spoil the look of the countryside. Prince Charles believes wind farms are a blot on the landscape and construction of turbines should be halted, British newspapers reported at the weekend.
The British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) last week published research showing it takes nearly 12 months to get a decision on planning applications for the average wind farm.
The BWEA welcomed Monday's policy statement. "This is a welcome statement and policy guide for planners and councillors who have until now been working with guidance 11 years old, written at a time when renewable energy targets had not even been set," said Chris Tomlinson, head of onshore wind at the BWEA.
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